Embracing New Dynamics of Flexible Work Culture

Growing up seeing our parents going to the office or work was as natural as going to school for us. It was almost like a daily routine for us to follow like saying goodbye to each other every day and waiting for our parents to come home back from the office to get their warm hugs and kisses. There was almost a list to share about our whole day’s experiences. What we did at home, at school, why we fought with siblings or a game we played together with friends, the list used to be endless.

The whole life dynamics changed after Covid pandemic. It forced us to reimagine new ways of living and working, forcing us to adopt a remote work model that no one ever thought would become the future model of the organizations.

Now the comfort, flexibility, and habit we developed over time during the pandemic to work from home seems difficult to change. Why not? There are significant benefits of flexible working.

A flexible work culture gives employees the autonomy to decide where and when they can work. This approach prioritizes the whole person’s well-being and usually includes alternate work hours and remote work or a hybrid model.

In a study conducted by Gallup where they asked directly workers a question- would you look for a new job if your current employer stopped offering remote work options going forward? Around 54% of employees working from home & 38 % of hybrid employees said- Yes, they would like to look for another job.

The conclusion is clear that to thrive in this competitive market with a diverse workforce giving employees flexibility is the need of the hour. However, different people & companies have different perspectives. Some organizations are willing to continue the remote work model, while some prefer the hybrid model while few are looking for full-time in-office work.

Those companies who are pushing for a return to full-time office work are citing many reasons for doing so. Productivity is their major concern. They believe that working from the office allows better supervision and better communication which lead to higher productivity and accountability. Also, face-to-face interaction enhances the ability to observe and connect with peers. Better opportunities to learn from leaders and mentors for professional development is also one of the reasons most companies advocate for in-office work culture.

There are always two sides of a coin. Likewise, different people have different perspectives and preferences. Forcing someone to accept a rule or decision mostly brings retaliation, anger, and dissatisfaction. However, giving options and choices brings comfort, happiness, and satisfaction.

Finding a mid-way is a smart and intelligent move. The introduction of a hybrid model is one such smart move.

Those who prefer working from the office should be given a fair chance to come and work from the office and those who prefer work from home should be given autonomy to work remotely.

Work done is the rule of thumb! No matter whether you did it from an office or the comfort of your home. Until the deadlines are met, people are working, productivity is seen, all is good. However, employees should always remember that with more independence comes more responsibility.

Trust is something we have to earn by showing our commitment and dedication to our work. If employers are giving autonomy and showing trust in employees, it is the responsibility of the employee to keep up their promise to work with honesty and sincerity. It is a win-win situation for both the employer and the employee.

Going to office once or twice, a week as per the hybrid model is also not a bad deal. It seems interesting with the flexible hybrid model that someday when we feel like coming out of our shell or comfort zone, feeling bored with the same routine, feeling less productive at home, and have fewer commitments at home we have the option to go to the office and work productively from there.

However, to create a more dynamic work environment there are other hybrid models also like split schedule and fixed hybrid that companies choose to combine the best aspects of both in-person and online work.

If you see, there is still a charm of going to the office. Meeting and greeting peers with a handshake, smile, and tight hug with a pat on the back. Working together while sharing smiles and jokes takes you to another level. Getting an opportunity to meet your leaders and other co-workers and listening to their work and life experiences enhances learning and connections. Setting up a whole team meeting a day or twice helps in better goal setting, understanding work problems from different perspectives, and seeking feedback for improvements.

In a study by Gallup, 38% of fully remote workers said that they would prefer hybrid work. In simple words, although fully remote employees enjoy their flexibility, 4 in 10 would like to have in-person office experiences.

So, based on the industry needs and preferences the employers have all rights to implement any type of work model and employees have the full right to choose an organization that best suits their needs and preferences likewise, prioritizing work-life balance.

Work Culture we follow at Aidosol…

At Aidosol, we understand individual needs and preferences and give our employees autonomy to decide what suits them best by entrusting our 100% trust in their abilities and intention to work sincerely. Currently, we are working remotely but depending on the business needs, we will decide what best suits our clients and employees in the near future.